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October 13, 2024 DSS Steps In to Resolve NNPCL/Marketers Dispute

DSS Steps In to Resolve NNPCL/Marketers Dispute

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reached an agreement with oil marketers under the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to allow them to lift Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) from its depots at a reduced rate. In addition, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has promised to grant import and off-taker licenses to the marketers, enabling them to either directly import fuel or source products from the Dangote Refinery, aligning with the government’s full deregulation plan for the oil sector.

This development follows IPMAN’s threat to halt operations nationwide due to the high costs of loading petroleum products from NNPCL depots. On Thursday, IPMAN highlighted the price discrepancy, stating that while NNPCL purchases petrol from the Dangote Refinery at about N898 per litre, it sells the same product to independent marketers at N1,010 per litre in Lagos.

IPMAN, which controls over 70% of the country’s filling stations, opposed this pricing disparity and demanded a refund from NNPCL for previous payments made by its members. Abubakar Maigandi, the national president of IPMAN, expressed concerns during a live interview, noting that marketers’ funds had been held by NNPCL for around three months. He further outlined that the product price varied across different cities, with Lagos marketers paying N1,010 per litre, while those in Calabar, Port Harcourt, and Warri faced even higher prices.

Following a peace meeting facilitated by the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, a new agreement was reached. NNPCL has now allowed marketers to load products to cover the N15 billion owed to them. IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, confirmed this development, adding that the meeting, which included NMDPRA and NNPCL officials, resulted in concessions that would enable marketers to access products more affordably.

Ukadike also noted that NMDPRA had agreed to issue import licenses to IPMAN, promoting full deregulation in the oil sector. However, NMDPRA’s spokesperson, George Ene-Ita, claimed to be unaware of the meeting and the license approvals. Additionally, NMPDRA is expected to pay N10 billion to the marketers as part of outstanding payments under the Petroleum Equalisation Fund.

October 11, 2024 APC Suspends Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri

APC Suspends Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri

The All-Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and its 2019 Bayelsa governorship candidate, David Lyon, over allegations of anti-party activities.

Others suspended include Bayelsa State's Commissioner for Power, Kharim Kumoko; Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Peres Biewari; former APC state chairman, Jothan Amos; NEC ex-officio member, Godbless Diriwari; and Southern Ijaw APC Youth Leader, Sabi Morgan.

The suspensions were announced by the party leadership in Bayelsa State following a disciplinary review. During the announcement in Yenagoa, Ekeremor Local Government Area APC Chairman, Mitin Eniekenemi Senator, accused Lokpobiri of leading a faction and collaborating with the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after failing to secure the APC governorship ticket in 2019.

Senator claimed that Lokpobiri and his followers supported Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and the PDP during the 2023 election in exchange for political appointments and contracts. He stated, “In the 2023 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, he led a group of disgruntled party members to openly support and work for Gov. Douye Diri of the People’s Democratic Party.”

He also noted that Lokpobiri’s personal aide, Kharim Kumoko, was appointed as Bayelsa's Commissioner for Power as part of the arrangement.

Similarly, Southern Ijaw LGA APC leadership, headed by Ebikazi Gbefa, announced the suspension of David Lyon and seven others, accusing them of undermining the party’s National Assembly candidates and working with the PDP during the 2023 governorship election. Gbefa claimed that Lyon’s Personal Assistant, Perepuighe Biewari, was nominated by Lyon and appointed Commissioner for Lands and Survey in Governor Diri’s administration as a reward for their cooperation with the PDP.

READ ALSO: I Didn’t Instruct NNPCL to Halt Refinery Operations — Oil Minister

October 11, 2024 Damagum: PDP Faction Appoints Ahmed Mohammed as New Acting National Chairman

Damagum: PDP Faction Appoints Ahmed Mohammed as New Acting National Chairman

A faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the new Acting National Chairman, following the suspension of Ambassador Illiya Damagum amid internal party disputes.

This move comes despite a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that, on Friday, prohibited the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) from removing Damagum from his position as Acting National Chairman.

However, the PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announced Mohammed's appointment in a statement issued on the same day, stating that the National Working Committee (NWC) had approved the decision. The statement read:

"Following the suspension of His Excellency, Amb. Illiya Damagum, as the Acting National Chairman of our great Party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the National Working Committee (NWC) has approved the appointment of Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the Acting National Chairman.

"The appointment, which takes immediate effect, is pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017)."

The NWC also urged all party organs, leaders, stakeholders, and members to remain united as preparations for the NEC meeting scheduled for October 24, 2024.

RELATED: Court Blocks PDP NEC and BoT from Removing Damagum as Acting National Chairman

October 11, 2024 Court Blocks PDP NEC and BoT from Removing Damagum as Acting National Chairman

Court Blocks PDP NEC and BoT from Removing Damagum as Acting National Chairman

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order preventing the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from removing Ambassador Ilya Damagum as the Acting National Chairman. The court ruled that no other individual should be recognized as the PDP National Chairman until the party's national convention, scheduled for December next year.

Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment in response to a lawsuit filed by Senator Umar El-Gash Maina, who argued that there were efforts within the party to unlawfully remove Damagum. The judge emphasized that, according to the PDP’s constitution, national officers can only be elected at the party’s national convention, citing Articles 42, 47, and 67.

Maina, who serves as the PDP Chairman in Yobe State, alleged that some party stakeholders were holding secret meetings to force Damagum's removal, intending to replace him with former Kogi State Deputy Governor Dr. Phillip Omeiza Salawu. Maina further stated that despite submitting complaints to the party's national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, no action had been taken.

In the suit, Maina requested the court to uphold the party's constitution and prevent any attempt to replace Damagum before the national convention. He also argued that the chairmanship of the PDP is traditionally rotated between the northern and southern regions.

Justice Lifu, after reviewing the party’s constitution and evidence presented, agreed with the plaintiff, stating that Damagum could only be replaced at the national convention or by court order. The judge also ruled that any move to end the northern region's leadership tenure prematurely would violate the PDP's constitution.

The court dismissed the defendants' argument that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to file the suit and ruled that Maina had sufficient interest in protecting the PDP’s constitution and the northern region's leadership term.

Justice Lifu concluded that Damagum, who was appointed following the resignation of former National Chairman Senator Iyorchia Ayu, is entitled to serve the remainder of the four-year term allocated to the northern region.

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